LAS VEGAS -- Kirk Cousins threw his first touchdown pass in five weeks and the Atlanta Falcons did just enough Monday night to beat the struggling Las Vegas Raiders 15-9 and keep pace in the NFC South race.
Trying to pull off a late comeback, Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder lofted two desperation passes into the end zone in the final 10 seconds. The first was incomplete and the second was intercepted by Jessie Bates III.
The Falcons (7-7) ended a four-game losing streak to remain a game behind the first-place Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Atlanta owns the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Las Vegas (2-12) lost its 10th consecutive game, the NFL's longest active skid, and is tied with the New York Giants for the league's worst record. It is the fifth-longest skid in Raiders history, and worst since dropping 16 in a row a decade ago.
Cousins entered with no touchdown passes and eight interceptions over his previous four starts, raising questions about whether rookie Michael Penix Jr. would take over at quarterback. Falcons Coach Raheem Morris stuck by Cousins -- who signed a four-year, $180 million contract this year -- over the eighth overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Cousins did little to assuage concerns about his play, passing for just 112 yards with an interception while completing 11 of his 17 attempts. His 30-yard pass to a wide-open Drake London with 14 seconds left in the first quarter to put Atlanta ahead 7-0 was his first touchdown toss since firing three of them Nov. 3 in a 27-21 victory over the Dallas Cowboys
The Falcons got the rest of their scoring on two field goals from Younghoe Koo and a safety by defensive lineman Zach Harrison.
Bijan Robinson rushed for 125 yards on 22 attempts and London caught three passes for 53 yards to give him 219 career receptions. London passed Calvin Ridley's 217 catches for most in Falcons history over a player's first three seasons. Tyler Allgeier tallied 43 yards on 12 carries in support of Robinson.
Atlanta prevented Ridder from putting a dent in its playoff plans. Ridder, who started 13 games for the Falcons last season before he was traded to Arizona, was stymied most of the night in his first start this season. In replacing Aidan O'Connell, inactive because of a bruised left knee, Ridder went 23 of 39 passing for 208 yards with a touchdown and 2 interceptions.
Ridder also led the Raiders in rushing with 28 yards on five carries, while their running back trio of Alexander Mattison, Ameer Abdullah and Sincere McCormick combined for 37 yards on 17 carries. All three caught at least one pass, Abdullah being the most productive with 58 yards on seven grabs.
Las Vegas rookie Brock Bowers, who is just 5 receiving yards shy of the NFL lead for tight ends, made just three grabs for 35 yards. That was his lowest output since he tallied 19 yards in a Week 4 against the Cleveland Browns, which was also the Raiders' last victory.
The injury-riddled Raiders gained just 249 yards, and they have trailed by double digits in all 14 games this season.
O'Connell wasn't the only player missing. Defensive end Maxx Crosby announced Saturday he would be undergoing season-ending ankle surgery. Las Vegas also lost McCormick, who had recently become the starter, to an ankle injury early in the second quarter.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) stretches prior to an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris smiles during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Atlanta Falcons' KhaDarel Hodge (12) blocks the punt of Las Vegas Raiders punter AJ Cole (6) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Desmond Ridder (10) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker)